2009 Budget

Six weeks of intensive deliberation ended Nov. 24 when the Metropolitan King County Council closed an unprecedented $93 million shortfall with unanimous adoption of a 2009 King County Budget that successfully protects the public’s highest priorities of public safety, health and quality of life.

However, members said action is still needed in the next session of the state Legislature to lift restrictions on the revenue sources provided to counties in order to avoid facing the same budget shortfalls next year.

As the legislative branch of county government, the annual budget is the single most important document through which the Council sets policy for King County and oversees delivery of the services you need and expect. The Council adopted a $4.9 billion budget with a general fund of $627.8 million that makes cuts to the Sheriff, Prosecuting Attorney and the courts, provides only six months of funding to many public health programs, and closes county government for ten days next year with an unpaid employee furlough.

To fund the restoration of the public’s priorities, the budget makes more than $10 million in one-time reductions to funds for future maintenance needs, some technology projects, and lower-priority programs. These restorations enabled the Council to continue funding for one more year for such successful programs as Drug Diversion Court, Unified Family Court Services, Mental Health Court, Sheriff’s storefronts in unincorporated communities, public health centers, and more.

Learn more about the King County Budget by exploring this site, or send a question or a comment.